I'd define the beginning of presidential general election campaign as the date the first TV ad airs, which would be today. I love to debate policy, but the actual workings of politics do not thrill me. I watched the ads I linked to above and was repulsed by their saccharin sentimental mushiness. Who are the people who sit in a focus groups and says they like this stuff? I want issue ads (from both sides) "going negative" on each other's legislative and executive decisions. These ads remind me that one of the few things I dislike more than a paternal state is a maternal state.